sockpuppeting
Feigning multiple identities
Sockpuppeting is creating fake online identities to deceive others—praising your own work, attacking critics, or manufacturing the appearance of grassroots support.
The term comes from sockpuppet, an account controlled by someone pretending to be a different person: He was banned for sockpuppeting in the comments section.
The practice undermines trust in online discourse.
Fabricated user profile
- alt accountSecondary online identity
- burnerHeat-producing device component
- trollDeliberate online antagonist
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
impersonation · deception · anonymous · forum · Reddit · Twitter · upvoting · commenting
Biased information for influence
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- state-sponsoredBacked by national authorities
- troll farmOrganized disinformation operation
- amplificationIncrease in intensity
narrative control · foreign interference · public opinion · psyops · misinformation · echo chamber · political manipulation · social engineering
Avoidance of excess
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- doxxingPublishing personal information maliciously
- pile-onMass criticism or tackle
- self-defenseProtecting oneself from harm
gaslighting · cyberbullying · review bombing · comment section · signal boosting · controversy · accountability · unmasking
fake account
Fabricated user profile
- alt accountSecondary online identity
- burnerHeat-producing device component
- trollDeliberate online antagonist
astroturfing · impersonation · deception · anonymous · forum · Reddit · Twitter · upvoting · commenting · manipulation
propaganda
Biased information for influence
- astroturfingDisguised sponsored advocacy
- state-sponsoredBacked by national authorities
- troll farmOrganized disinformation operation
amplification · narrative control · foreign interference · public opinion · psyops · misinformation · echo chamber · political manipulation · social engineering · fake reviews
moderation
Avoidance of excess
- harassmentAggressive, unwanted targeting
- doxxingPublishing personal information maliciously
- pile-onMass criticism or tackle
self-defense · gaslighting · cyberbullying · review bombing · comment section · signal boosting · controversy · accountability · unmasking · exposure
- online actionsposting, click, commenting, tap, replying
- cyberbullyingcyberbullying, online harassment, targeted harassment, doxxing, threats
sockpuppetinggrassroots movement
Citizen-led collective action campaign
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